For cousins, Dr K Ravindranath, CMD, Global Hospitals Group and Adilakshmi, romance blossomed after marriage.
“My wife is my maternal uncle’s daughter. We knew each other since childhood. Every year we used to go to Tirupati for three to four days.”
How it all started?
It was when Ravindranath’s future mother-in-law planned for them to share their future that things started.
She liked him and wanted him to be her son in law. “Adilakshmi and I used to play together and we were brought up in a joint family,” recalls Ravindranath.
After completing his medicine, when he went to his father, proud to share that he was then qualified to treat people, his father said, “it’s time to get married.” “Elders in the family decided we should and it happened,” recalls Ravindranath.
They have been married for 35 years now and have two children – a daughter, P Sailja and a son Prithvinath. “We went into this marriage like everyone else. But our commitment to each other was strong. We also had the blessings of our elders and that is an important part of our relationship,” adds the doctor.
Belief in the institute of marriage
When people come together, they grow to understand that everything in a marriage is about each other. “We believe we are made for each other. We have to see the future of the children. We strongly believe in the institution of marriage. Both of us have spent time to build our careers. It’s all about give and take,” says Ravindranath. The couple also believes that religion plays an important role and teaches them to be content in life.
No fights here
It is normal for a couple to quarrel from time to time – but it is important how you decide to handle the conflict. But Ravindranath says, “We rarely fight. We try to make each other understand. And when we do, I usually go to work, and when I come back, it’s all normal. At the end of the day, blood is thicker than water.”
He also gives credit to his wife and tells us that she takes responsibility to make things normal. “When I return from work, she makes it a point to cook my favourite dishes.
She never compromises on food. These simple and caring acts make you feel special,” he says.
Secret for a happy marriage Adilakshmi says, “Concern for our children has been a strong force. We both have grown and matured over the years.” All of this has happened only because, “I love everything about him.” she adds.